Ex-Man Utd star takes on Arkell's pub
A former Manchester United midfielder has taken up a tenancy with Swindon brewer Arkell's.
Mike Flemming, who played alongside George Best, Dennis Law and Bobby Charlton for manager Matt Busby, has taken over the Black Horse in Warnborough with his partner Sue Price.
Fleming studied for an economics degree while playing at Manchester United and had a successful career in industry.
"My Dad and I were Manchester City fans, but I wanted to study as well as play football and City wouldn't let me, so I joined Manchester United instead," he said.
"I've had a bar before but this is our first pub together," he explains. "It was closed for a few months so the Brewery could carry out essential work on the building, but now we're up, running and ready to welcome in customers."
Flemming also has firm views on how the sport has turned into a business over the last 30 years.
"There is too much money thrown at football these days, and for the fans it's no longer a leisure activity that the whole family can take part in at weekends.
"To go to a top flight game, for a family you'll not get much change out of £400. I think that clubs such as Swindon should charge less, or offer family tickets, to get the stadium filled up and boost the atmosphere.
"What they lose on the ticket sales they'll more than make up for on selling food and drink inside the ground."
George Arkell welcomed Mike and Sue into the pub. "We've got a number of former national sportsmen running our pubs.
"They make good landlords as they've got an excellent work ethic, are used to dealing with the public and have good strong arms for pulling pints."
